Actuators My Notes and Calculations

CHAPTER 3

Actuators
Introduction
The actuator is the interface component that converts hydraulic horsepower back into mechanical
horsepower. An actuator may either be a cylinder giving linear motion or a hydraulic motor giving
rotating motion. After completing this section, you should have a good understanding of how actuators
work in a hydraulic system.

Cylinders
Cylinders are linear actuators. Their output force, or motion, is in a straight line. Their function is to
convert hydraulic power into linear mechanical power. Their work applications may include pushing,
pulling, tilting, and pressing. Cylinder type and design are based on specific applications.
A ram is perhaps the most simple of
the actuators. It has only one fluid
chamber and exerts force in only
one direction. It is used in
applications where stability is needed
on heavy loads. A single acting
cylinder is pressurized on one end
only. The opposite end is vented to
the tank or atmosphere. It is
designed so that a load, or a device Figure 3.1 –a typical cylinder
such as an internal spring, retracts it.

The double acting cylinder is the most common cylinder used in industrial hydraulics. Pressure can be
applied to either port, giving power in both directions. These cylinders are also classified as differential
cylinders because of their unequal exposed areas during extension and retraction. The difference in
effective area is caused by the area of the rod that reduces the piston area during retraction. Extension is
slower than retraction because more fluid
is required to fill the piston side of the
cylinder. However, more force can be
generated on extension because of
greater effective area. On retraction, the
same amount of pump flow will retract
the cylinder faster because of the reduced
fluid volume displaced by the rod. Less
Figure 3.2 –double acting Figure 3.3 –double rod force, however, can be generated due to
cylinder cylinder
less effective area.

A double rod cylinder is considered a non-differential type cylinder. The areas on both sides of the
piston are equal, thus providing equal force in both directions. Applications for such cylinders
would be when it is advantageous to couple a load to both ends or when equal speeds are needed
in both directions.

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Actuators My Notes and Calculations

DID YOU KNOW?

Mill type cylinders are more robust in design than tie rod cylinders.

Applications for the mill type cylinders include presses, cranes,

iron works, and rolling mills.

Design
The cylinder assembly is constructed of a steel cap end head, a steel barrel assembly, a rod end head, a
rod bearing, a piston, and a piston rod. Tie rods and nuts are used to hold the heads and barrel assembly
together. Static seals keep the joint pressure tight. A rod wiper is provided to prevent foreign material
from entering the bearing and seal area. The sealing of a moving surface is provided by the rod seal,
which prevents fluid from leaking past the rod, and by the piston seals, which prevent fluid from
bypassing the piston. Fluid is routed to and from the cylinder through the rod end port and the cap
end port.

Figure 3.4 –typical cylinder design

Motors
Hydraulic motors are classified as rotary
actuators. Motors very closely resemble
pumps in construction. However, instead of
pushing on the fluid as the pump does, the
fluid pushes on the internal surface area of
the motor, developing torque. Resistance
from the load is encountered and pump flow
provides a continuous rotating motion. Since
both inlet and outlet ports may be pressur-
ized, most hydraulic motors are
externally drained.
Figure 3.5 –a hydraulic motor is a common actuator

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Actuators My Notes and Calculations

Figure 3.6 –the three most common types of hydraulic motors are the gear, vane, and piston

DID YOU KNOW?

Hydraulic motors are typically classified as high speed motors

(500 – 10,000 rpm) or low speed motors (0 – 1,000) rpm.

63025 x hp (in • lb) x rpm

Torque (in • lb) = hp= Torque
rpm 63205

Application
Hydraulic motors are primarily rated according to
displacement and torque. The first
consideration should be torque. Hydraulic
motors are rated in foot or inch-pounds of torque
per given psi, typically inch-pounds per 100 psi.
Torque is equal to load times radius.

Equation 3.1

Torque = Load x Radius

Large displacement motors usually have a

greater radius for the hydraulic fluid to push
Figure 3.7 –an example of torque being
against; therefore, they create more torque at calculated with a 10 lb load and 4 in radius
a specific pressure.

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Actuators Chapter 3

Example 3.1
QUESTIONS
In Figure 3.8, a hydraulic motor rated at
100 inch-pounds of force per 100 psi is 1. An actuator is used to convert hydraulic energy to mechanical energy.
rotating a winch with a radius of 4 inches. a. True
The load is 500 pounds. What is the b. False
required torque? Based on the torque rat-
ing of the motor, the operating pressure is 2. Cylinders can be used to _____.
2000 psi. a. push or pull a load
b. tilt a load
Solution: Substituting the formula into c. press a load
Equation 3.1, we get: d. All of the above.

Torque = 500 lbs x 4 in = 2000 lbs 3. At a constant pressure, a cylinder will produce more force on extension than on retraction.
a. True
Answer: 2000 in • lbs b. False

The second consideration would be dis- 4. Hydraulic motors are rated according to fluid displacement and torque output.
placement. This is necessary to determine a. True
the amount of flow required to rotate the b. False
hydraulic motor at the required rpm. Figure 3.8 –a hydraulic motor with a
4 in radius lifting 500 lbs
5. Hydraulic motors are only built in two styles, vane and piston.
a. True
b. False

SUMMARY
The actuator is the interface component that converts hydraulic horsepower back into
mechanical horsepower.

Cylinders are linear actuators.

Hydraulic motors are classified as rotary actuators.

Hydraulic motors are primarily rated according to displacement and torque.

Equation 3.1

Torque = Load x Radius

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